Wicklow community call for reopening of health centre as HSE explore new funding

Following its closure several years ago, the Donard Health Centre in west Wicklow has become dilapidated and is in great need of attention, leading residents to call for the refurbishment of the building and the reinstitution of what was an integral and convenient community service.

Backing the push for the reopening of the centre, members of the Donard ICA (Irish Countrywomen's Association) recently expressed their disgust at its long closure and the inconvenience it has caused for residents in Donard and neighbouring Glen of Imaal who make 10 to 20-mile round trips to see a doctor.

“Donard ICA has been trying for ages to get this health centre back,” Guild Secretary Mary Manley said.

“It closed when Covid hit, and we had two doctors in Dunlavin at that time. They used to come to Donard once a week on a Thursday for two hours but would come over as necessary as well.

“They stopped coming out during the pandemic, and the health centre hasn’t been open since, and in that time, those doctors have moved on.

“We have a new doctor in Dunlavin – Dr Lee – who is very happy to come out to us if he has somewhere to come to.

“Dunlavin is five miles away from us, and that is where people have had to go since the centre closed, and that’s assuming you have some form of mode of transportation to get there,” he continued

“Then there are the people up at the head of the Glen of Imaal who are coming an extra five miles, and you’re asking them to make a 20-mile round trip. It’s a lot to ask, and we have an ageing population here as well.

“For the people that don't drive, what are they meant to do? You can’t always be asking people for lifts. Your family or neighbours will be very good to you, but you feel like a bit of a nuisance.”

Continuing her quest to bring health services back to the community, local Councillor Avril Cronin recently received confirmation from the HSE that the works needed to reopen the centre are due for consideration under the HSE Minor Capital Programme.

“The Health Service Executive can confirm that Donard Health Centre currently requires significant refurbishment in order to meet Health & Safety Requirements,” the HSE correspondence reads.

“The Health Service Executive has assessed the building and identified works which are due for consideration under the HSE Minor Capital Programme.”

Reacting to the update, Mary said that she would “believe it when I see it”, but hoped the news would signify tangible progress and bring the reopening of the health centre a step closer to reality.

“It's great that the HSE is looking at it now, and I hope they follow through on it, but about six months ago, we saw them cleaning and painting the outside the centre, and we thought, oh great, they’re going to open this up again, but they didn’t,” Mary said.

“The closure of the centre is a recurring topic for us within the ICA. People talk about it in the community and will until something is done about it.

“It was the same thing with our garda station and the post office, which we lost. We have gardai back for a limited time during the week now but the post office is gone for good, and we only have one shop in the village in O’Keefee’s.

“John stocks everything and anything and is so obliging. He’s from Hollywood, but we have claimed him as one of our own, and we would be lost without him. Like everything else in the village, we would never want to see him close.

“With the local elections coming up, we think it’s a good time to be pushing for the health centre to reopen,” she added.

“We’re hoping that the local election candidates, and we were saying this in a recent meeting, get behind it and see it as a good chance to push for it.

“I know there are probably bigger things in their sights, fixing the roads and such, but this would be a very powerful thing for us if we got it back.”

Having received several correspondences from Donard residents, as well as many local organisations and community groups advocating for the reopening of the health centre since her election to Wicklow County Council, Cllr Cronin reiterated the need for its reopening and the impact the closure has had on the local community.

“The health centre has been closed for several years now, meaning that people living within the community of Donard have to travel to surrounding towns to access basic healthcare,” Cllr Cronin began.

“This is a huge challenge, especially for residents who do not drive, as well as well as families with young children.

“Following on from my representations to the HSE and the Minister for Health, the HSE has confirmed to me that they have assessed the building and identified works needed to bring the building back to the required standard for the resumption of health services.

“The building is in urgent need of repair,” she continued.

“It has been closed for several years now, allowing the building to become dilapidated and is currently not fit for purpose.

“I have been consistently calling on the HSE to urgently carry out the necessary works to ensure that the building is at a satisfactory standard to allow GP services to resume within the village.

“The Health Centre in Donard has great potential to bring back community health services to the village, and it also has the potential to provide additional community services within the same building.

“ I am hopeful that we are slowly seeing progress being made, with the confirmation today from the HSE, but I will continue to work with the HSE and the local community in my efforts to reopen the health centre and allow the residents of Donard to access medical care within their own community.

“I will be calling on the HSE to prioritise the reopening of vital service within the rural community of Donard.”